Creating Software Packages for Mac Computers

For every software that you wish to deploy using Desktop Central, a
package should be created. The package contains the details of the software
application, its installation location and the installation and uninstallation
commands. The package are created once and can be used to deploy software
to any number of computers later. The software application, which needs
to be deployed to target computers should be uploaded to a particular
location. This should be accessible only via 'HTTP share'. "Network
Share" is not applicable for Mac, unlike Windows. Administrators
should specify the HTTP path while creating a software package.

This document will explain about various steps involved in creating
a software package for computers running Mac operating system. Refer the
following options, before creating a software package:

Note:
Installables can be uploaded only in .dmg format. If you wanted
to upload the installable, which is in .pkg/.mpkg /.app
format or upload more than one installable, then it should be
compressed and uploaded in .zip,
.tar, .gz, .bz2, .tgz, .tbz or .dmg format.

Creating Software Package with Single File

Creating a package to install with a single installable file is
very easy. Follow the steps mentioned below:

Click Software
Deployment tab

Under Software
Config, select Packages

Click
Add Package and choose Mac

Specify a
name for the Package and provide the details of the package
this is for your personal reference.

Click
Installation tab

Click
Browse, under Upload Files
upload the installable (software application) that needs to
be deployed to the target computers. The installable should be in
.pkg/.mpkg or .app
format.

You have successfully created a package with a single installation file.

Creating
Software Package with Multiple Files

The steps to create a package with multiple files, is the same like
creating a package with single installation file. some software applications
like Office, would require more than one installation file, in such cases
administrators can upload the installable files in .zip,
.tar, .gz, .bz2, .tgz, .tbz or .dmg format. These files
will be extracted to identify the .pkg/.mpkg or .app files. these
files are the same like

Using Installation Commands

Administrators can use installation commands if, they wanted to customize
the installation or change the default installation location. If installation
command is not specified, then the software application will be installed
using the default installation commands. The following are examples, of
how commands can be used to change the default installation location:

Note:
If you are uploading the installable in compressed format, then
you can specify only the installable's name in the installation
command.

Uninstalling a Software

A software can be removed by specifying the appropriate installed location.
If there is more than one file that needs to be removed, then you can
add more than one location or use a script for uninstallation. Uninstallation
command can be specified under, "Advanced Options". If you write
a script of your own, then it is recommended to test it, before it is
added to the software package.

Removing
Software for All Users

Remove a software for all users by using
the command as mentioned below: "$allusers/Library/Application
Support/Google/Chrome"

The above is a sample command to remove "Google
Chrome"for all users.

Removing
Software for Specific Users

Remove a software for a specific users by
using the command as mentioned below: "/Users/user1/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome"The above is a sample command to remove "Google Chrome"for a specific user 'user1'.

Removing
Software for the Currently Logged-in User

Remove a software for the currently logged
on users by using the command as mentioned below: $currentusers/Library/Application
Support/Google/Chrome

Removing
Software with Preferences

A software can be removed with its preferences.
If there is more than one file that needs to be removed, then you can
specify more than one location of the file/folder which needs to be removed
or use a script for uninstallation. The shell script below is an
example for an uninstallation script, used to remove a software application
with its dependent files from multiple computers. Most vendors provide
the script for uninstallation, if you write a script of your own, then
it is recommended to test it before it is added to the software package.

Sample Script
to Remove Office and its dependent files/folders from multiple computers